October 25, 2006

reactions to face transplant approval announcement

Scientists commented following the announcement of Ethics Committee approval for face transplantation to be carried out by a team at the Royal Free Hospital, London

Mr Micheal Earley, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and former president of BAPRAS (formerly BAPS), said:

“The news that the royal free has been given approval by their ethics committee is very exciting. It marks another step forward in facial reconstructive surgery. And we would hope that the patient would be chosen in a careful manner and be treated by a team of specialists ranging from surgical through to psychological and other support therapists.

“There is a greater emphasis in facial transplantation to have a sensitivity towards the donor family involved, unlike other solid organ transplants, for example heart and kidney.

“As yet the risk benefit ratio is unknown and in this situation the patient must understand that the surgery is essentially experimental.”

Andrew George, Professor of Molecular Immunology, Imperial College London, said:

“For a small number of patients, this type of surgery offers an opportunity to considerably enhance their quality of life. However, this will not be without risks, both physical and psychological, and it would be important that the patients are fully informed of these risks before surgery – as the ethics committee would insist on.”